Picture 2 - body closeup
A custom UV7BK. This guitar has a neck of a UV77MC with pyramid inlays.
Picture 2 - body closeup
Picture 2 - headstock closeup
A custom UV7PWH. The one pictured in the PAW liner notes. Notice black headstock. This guitar was given to "Prince" (or whatever it's name is currently) in 1997.
A custom 7-string built by Conklin guitars.
Picture 2 - body closeup
Picture 3 - headstock closeup
Vai's Custom painted UV7BK. Likely a pre-production, custom model, note the JEM lettering on the headstock.
A custom UV7BK. This guitar uses the two-colored pickups similar to the UV777GR.These are reversed with the yellow one in the middle.
One of Steve's UV77MCs. As seen on Videos, Whitesnake concerts, MTV's Rock 'n Jock Star Spangled Banner and more.
One of Steve's UV77MCs. As seen in the PAW Tablature book.
One of Steve's UV77MCs
Picture 2 - Full length
Picture 3 - Body closeup
This Universe is pictured in the PAW TAB book, as the picture for the song "Answers". Vai toured with Whitesnake using this guitar in '88-90. Having seen a '90 Whitesnake bootleg, Vai used this guitar during the second part of his guitar solo. The guitar reflects light like none other. It his hoisted to the ceiling as he moves back to his UV77MC to finish his solo. Peter writes in "This guitar is indeed the guitar he used for his solo spot on the Whitesnake tour. He'd use it doin' a PAW medley with one spot following the guitar's body constantly. This way all the little pieces of mirror would reflect the beam and throw it back in the crowd like a mirror-ball."
Simon wrote in that this guitar was featured on the Whitesnake video "The Deeper the Love". Vai played this live before the Universe guitars were available in stores. From the quotes below you will see that this is not the prototype Universe that Vai recorded Slip of the Tongue with.
Here's a Vai blue multicolor universe with UV7PWH pyramid inlayed neck. Note many holes drilled into the body... a tribute to the Despagni "Swiss Cheese" guitar perhaps.
This one has a UV7BK neck and custom sculpted body.
Here's the one we all want. It is a Universe with the coveted "Monkey Grip". It also has an impressive swirl to it. Perhaps the coolest UV Multicolor guitar built. The top photo is the actual guitar obviously. The bottom photo is the brushed over photo for the PAW front/rear cover to avoid legal headaches. Gotta have that grip!
As seen in Guitar World magazine Collector's Corner centerfold. Here is a Universe that was swirled and hand burned for Vai. The pickguard seems to be very similar to the production 7BSB pickguard. For you do it yourself swirlers, this seems to be a decent pickguard to spice up your guitar with. Check out the pictures for details such as the melted pickups and the words " For the Love of God " written on the headstock under the under Universe logo.
Peter writes in "check out the "For the love of God" video for more detailed looks on this one. The video was taped in a mountain/snow scenery. Vai is dressed in rags and has those tip less woolen gloves. This vid is just too cool for words." GW 4/91 has a few pictures from that Video shoot and these will eventually appear online. Anyone want to send a copy of this video?
View the Collector's
Choice Centerfold
View the Guitar Caption Zoomed
In
Captioned text for the Collectors Choice Centerfold reads - GW 4/91
"Steve Vai is great to work with because he always knows exactly what he wants says Ibanez representative Scot Schwestska. But what he wanted in this case was pretty crazy. Steve asked if we could create a finish that would make one of his JEM Universe guitars look like the Stratocaster Jimi Hendrix burned at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival.
We knew that Frank Zappa owned the actual Monterey Strat, so we hunted down a picture of Frank with the legendary instrument. Then next thing we did was sprinkle mineral spirits on the body of a standard JEM Universe, and carefully started burning it to emulate the look of the Hendrix guitar.
It was like a family barbecue! We had a group of people around to help cook it in just the right places. People were saying things like "Yo, turn it over" and "Is it done yet?" After the body was cooked to satisfaction, finish expert Matt Duffin slightly toasted a neck, and one our technicians, Jim Donahue, assembled the instrument. The guitar is completely functional when it is equipped with new pickups. The pickups in the picture, however, were unfortunately fried to a crisp. "
